First smokers were banned from lighting up inside, now San Luis Obispo considers putting a stop to smoking outside.

In 1990 the city passed a ban on smoking in public buildings, including bars and restaurants. It was the first of its kind in the country.

California adopted a statewide law in 1994, adding bars to that list four years later.

San Luis Obispo City Council members are considering a ban on outdoor smoking in public places. It is an issue that has some smokers fuming. Talk of a ban on smoking outside in San Luis Obispo has some smokers fearing some of their personal freedoms are vanishing.

"It's a little ridiculous, honestly. It's a free choice that people have. It's kind of like banning drinking," said smoker Janine Thompson.

Complaints to the city council about second-hand smoke and litter from cigarette butts is prompting council members to take action.

'All of the police in downtown are now going to be focusing on trying to catch people smoking downtown, that just seems like a bit of a waste of government funds, in my opinion," said Thompson.

Mayor Dave Romero thinks something needs to be done.

"There are still problems with cigarettes. And that is there are people who are still susceptible to the smoke, and we have complaints," Mayor Romero said.

The mayor wants the city council to consider all possibilities, which could include banning smoking in parks, playgrounds, sidewalks and streets, or maybe even something as broad as a citywide ban in all public places.

"Everything is a compromise finally, some kind of a balance, and we'll come up with something that maybe nobody is happy with, but at least it's in the middle. The middle ground, somewhere," said Romero.

That last sentence really epitomizes government in the 21st century.

Porkers should sit up (with a little help) and take notice. Most of the reason that smoking bans have been successful rest on the claims of precautionary legislation. Smokers "cost" society too much. they die too early and don't work enough, and it's all just vaguely sinful in our new, bright and shiny Green world.

Fat people are way, way more costly than smokers. Fat people linger - smokers are either unaffected or they die off in a couple of months. Fat people require expensive joint replacement procedures. They develop diabetes. They acquire conditions that need daily medication for life. They are unsightly.

There's a lot more imaginary incentive to target fat people now.

Porkers Next! (http://www.ksby.com/Global/story.asp?S=9552235)

Bubba Dawg

12-20-2008, 11:15 PM

I just hate stuff like this.

I wonder when they will start saying people can't smoke in their own yards?